Mistakes happen. It's part of life and we should all get a good laugh out of mistakes. At some point, I hope. Sometimes, a mistake can cost us business. Especially when someone takes the mistake personally.

Auto response is an amazing thing. Whatever automated email program you use, putting a contact in, getting a drip email to start creating a relationship, sending newsletters. It makes your life easier. Unless you forgot what emails are in your program. Then, the person on the receiving end might

It started with Sister Camille, my first grade teacher at Holy Child Jesus. The comment from my first report card through 8th grade at HCJ always had a line that read "Catherine is a delightful student and very bright. But she is easily distracted and talks to other students too much."

We can leave the easily distracted part for another blog about how Ritalin is evil and genius children are easily bored. I want to talk about my love of talking and why you should learn to love it in business too.

I enjoyed school and always did well. But where I truly excelled was reading. If there were words, I read them. Summer book club at the library and I got a ton of awards for finishing so many books. Even today I tend to read 2 to 3 books at a time. I enjoy reading. Maybe sometimes, too much. I enjoy researching, reading other's spins on topics, internet articles. I will read anything to do with business, health, or gardening.

I think one of the biggest reasons I am both an entrepreneur and work with my husband is because my parents were business owners who worked with each other until my father passed away. My mother continued to run the business until she retired. But that's not what this blog is about.

Mr. Shea (no, Shea Stadium was not named after him, even though he told me it was) and later Richard Sullivan were the accountants for my parents. Richard continued to be the accountant for my mother's estate and currently for a trust I have with my siblings.

There is an old Japanese proverb that very succinctly gives us the secret to success, the answer to life's questions. Fall down seven times, get up eight. That's it. All of us will fall down in life. Many times. The secret is to get up again and not to stay down.

It was one of those games, those events, that will live on in history. Superbowl VI. Love them or hate them, the New England Patriots and Tom Brady got up the eighth time this weekend to make Superbowl VI a true edge-of-your-seat, break-all-the-records game.

After a recent networking event, the thought came to mind again, as it often does, who the heck do you think you are fooling with that picture of you? You know what I'm talking about. You pick up a business card or look at the website and on the "About Us" page is a younger version of the person you are having a meeting with. Not a wrinkle on the photo, not a grey hair to be found. (In all fairness, my dark curly locks are still curly. But the dark comes out of a box.)

Got a great email from one of our members and I wanted to share his question and my response in case it can help you as well ...

"Hi Gelie, I am working on my networking and building new relationships. Can you give me a good rule of thumb on attending networking events? Which to and not to attend, any regulations on attending any of the events, etc.? Thank you so much."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona (BBBSAZ) provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better. BBBSAZ currently has 300 children across the Valley who are waiting upwards of two years for a mentor.

Which is why we are in dire need of new volunteers. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities that fit with even the busiest of schedules. This is due to the fact that mentors ("Bigs") get to choose when, where, and what activities they do with their mentees ("Littles").

Have you ever thought that content marketing isn't just what you do on your computer to sell and market your business? Sure, websites, blogs, videos, and social media definitely make up content marketing, but they're not the end-all, be-all. There actually might be a part of this whole outreach effort you're completely overlooking: networking.

Friday, July 3, 2015 marks a new era for small business in Arizona, as Equity Crowdfunding, a bill signed by Governor Doug Ducey in the Spring of this year, went live. Arizona's crowdfunding law allows small business owners to obtain capital through Arizona residents. Unless recognized as an "accredited investor" under the Securities Act, investors are able to invest up to $10,000 in exchange for shares of the company.

Imagine if you could support your favorite charity or cause with each swipe of mascara, spritz of fragrance, or lathering your shampoo? This new company called BeautyKind hopes to make that dream a reality. How? The new e-commerce site lets shoppers donate 5 percent of each purchase to a good cause that moves them.

You can get a $50 giftcard for you to check out this new company....no strings attached!

The marriage penalty exists whenever the tax on a couple's joint return is more than the combined taxes each spouse would pay if they weren't married and if each filed his or her own single or head of household return.

We will be collecting gift cards of any amount to fulfill a "wish list" of needs for the girls of Mingus. We appreciate you donating cards from your favorite clothing, grocery and personal care stores. We appreciate your donation!

As an Phoenix-valley resident, you know the summers can be brutal. Phoenix is even hotter than other Arizona cities due to the urban heat island effect. The long-time cited "3 months" has now turned into 6 months or even 8 months of relentless heat. This means many people who live here only do so for half the year or less. Current residents may choose to move elsewhere because they are tired of dealing with the heat.

It's that time of year again - Maricopa county residents have started receiving their property tax bills in the mail. If you haven't received yours yet, you will by September 30, or your mortgage company will receive it.

A deduction is an expenditure that will reduce your taxable income. There are two kinds of deductions: adjustments to income and itemized deductions. The adjustments to income are the better of the two, as they reduce adjusted gross income, or "AGI." Itemized deductions reduce your taxable income.

Our growing team is looking for a TALENTED executive assistant to run our real estate office. Do you strive for excellence? Do you find yourself making things better at every job you go to? Do you like to be challenged to be the best person you can be and still have some fun? If this sounds like you, then don't hesitate to apply.

Job Expectations • Inside sales agents will be responsible for responding to inbound sales inquiries and outbound cold calling to set appointments for our team of field agents (Realtors) to meet with clients who are interested in buying or selling residential real estate • Maintain rigorous prospecting for new business and equally rigorous follow up with leads in your pipeline

You’ve heard it before: blog! Blog often and blog on your website. But have you ever wondered why you’ve been urged to blog? And, perhaps more importantly, have you been wondering what to blog about in the first place? Read on, and I’ll give you the answer to both.

Your support helps fund: Habitat Enhancement Projects, Land and Easement Acquisitions, Scientific Research, Support of Responsible Wildlife Management, Conservation Education, Support for Our Hunting Heritage, Youth Programs and more for the mule deer and other wildlife in our great state of Arizona!

Customized coaching is in demand as the Phoenix-area chapter of the International Coach Federation celebrates its 10-year-anniversary and an evolving $2-billion industry that offers many choices for modern clients.

Whether you're a CEO desperate to dampen office politics, an employee with a learning disability striving to rise in an organization, the proverbial executive facing a mid-life job crisis, or even a couple seeking relationship goals, there's a professional coach out there trained to help.

You're invited to the Behavioral Health Initiative Group's Presentation of NAMI: In Our Own Voice.

Join us for this important MENTAL HEALTH education and awareness event. Dynamic speakers share their amazing stories of battling, coping, and recovering from serious mental illnesses. You'll earn how lives can improve, including your own.

DegreeStory.com is a website that helps people make better career and degree decisions.

DegreeStory.com achieves this by collecting and categorizing real-life stories from people who are already in the field (education, medical, business, etc...). Then, these stories are made available to search or browse. So, somebody can browse our database of stories to get a sense of what it's really like to pursue a particular career or degree.

In Home Care Alliance, LLC and Peak Performance Plus are giving a free presentation for senior citizens on components of a successful healthcare plan. The presentation will be held at the Scottsdale Senior Center, 10440 East Via Linda, Scottsdale on May 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm in Room # 3.

While most seniors realize it is important to have a plan before a crisis hits, changes to healthcare laws merit a review of your plan. The presentation includes three key areas.

This blog is a little bit longer than usual, but it's a special occasion. On April 16, I said "Hats Way Off…" and celebrated 4 years of being in business. Hi, I'm Kathy Bass and I've been writing this blog since 2010. Yes, I am one of the rare 10% who blogs on a regular basis. I'm not telling you this to brag, I'm telling you in hopes that the reasons why I love blogging after pushing through a very rough, bumpy start may inspire you to blog more.

Content is a vital component of your marketing efforts; obviously, marketing won’t work without something to say. The question is, of course, what to say … and how, where, and why. Before you get started with all of that, you have a few other things to ask yourself about your business first. Unfortunately, too many businesses just launch a campaign without doing their homework — and then are curious as to why their efforts fail.

“The king is dead. Long live the king.” That could be the mantra for video-production companies that believe the old king, content, has seen his time and needs to make way for the new king, video. But don’t get ready for the coronation just yet. While some people do prefer videos — and with Google’s ownership of YouTube, their SEO strength is warranted — written content has many benefits that will appeal to a wide audience for years to come.

Attention entrepreneurs: Marcia Bench has been gifted complimentary tickets to an AMAZING event – Be the Change in Las Vegas April 24-27- with Suzanne Evans, business coach extraordinaire who has gone from "Secretary to Seven Figures" in record time!

In order to make a long lasting permanent change in an individual's life, there must be a change in the way the brain and thought processes respond to life. This is precisely what Georgeanne Bickle's book accomplishes.

Georganne Bickle, is a veteran of the AZANG, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, and the author of "A Good Brain Washing" (2012) and "Affirmations: For Every Area of Life" (2013).

This exciting 2nd Annual Women Investing in Women Summit (WIIW) started with a Welcome Dinner on Friday, January 10th, 2014, at the award-winning Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

As I arrived, I was warmly greeted by Jackie Wszalek, President of NAWBO, and happily stepped into a room full of energetic sponsors, supporters, press and speakers ready to connect with our Greater Phoenix community over a cocktail reception and a sumptuous three-course dinner with wine-pairing from one of Arizona's finest culinary destinations.

Join the Gabriel's Angels Young Professionals group for a lively evening of art, live music, and food!

We'll be selling a variety of local artwork, with all proceeds benefiting Gabriel's Angels and the at-risk youth they serve. Our unique pieces range across price, style and media, including paintings, photography, and mixed media.

AZ Women's Partnership in cooperation with The Bra Recyclers and Boom! Social Media Services will present its first annual Bra-VinO event at the Lori Landis Art Gallery, 7077 E. Main Street in Scottsdale, on Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 4pm - 6pm. Complimentary appetizers and OneHope wine will be served.

Join ABWA Valley of the Sun Express Network for a post- holiday Beer Tasting & Silent Auction event. What else will you be doing at 6 p.m. on January 2?

Just $25 per person gets you food, 2 flights of beer, tutelage from the Sun Up brewmaster, mingling, and good times with great friends. Bring your spouse/SO, friends, colleagues, adult kids. Seats are limited, so reserve your spot today. Please Note: This is a 21-and-over event.

By reading this post, I hope you will gain the same "Aha!" moment that I experienced along with learning about the book that helped me feel more comfortable about being uncomfortable in a seemingly extroverted world. My "Aha!" moment happened when I read a comparison about shyness vs. introversion from author and introversion expert Susan Cain:

As you know deep down inside, it’s not about what you say, it’s about how you sound when you say it. It comes down to mustering up just enough courage, confidence and conviction to ensure your message is sent, received and understood.

G.I. Joe Coffee Company "breaks ground" for American Veterans through the sale of veteran-branded coffees, products and fundraising opportunities with organizations having the same community goals.

While over 3.5 million American Veterans are enduring service-related disabilities, G.I. Joe Coffee Company steps up to the plate with a fantastic coffee and product line to generate funds in support of Veteran causes. The company, located in Tempe, Arizona, is launching a crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo.com starting December 12, 2013 with a deadline of January 21, 2014.

Can you believe there are only a couple of weeks of 2013 left? Maybe I'm just getting older, but it seems as if time moves faster and faster each year. Now I'm sitting here wondering how to make next year even more successful than this one. I bet you're doing the same. One thing you really must consider either incorporating, continuing, or boosting is your content marketing. This is a vast area, so let's just focus on the biggies.

SCORE (Service Corp Of Retired Executives) is looking for an editor/copywriter to volunteer in assisting us with our ongoing outreach to the small business community. In addition to helping one of the largest non profit organizations in the country for Small Business, you will also have the opportunity to have your name in front of as many as 13,000 small business owners every week.

TechPhx … started as a two-day workshop for podcast buffs and has grown phenomenally over the past few years into an unconference for new media enthusiasts and professionals including bloggers, podcasters, writers, musicians, social media fans and content creators of every kind and continues to go strong on their 7th year even after a rebrand last year.

Join The Conscious Community and Peaceful Spirit Center for the Holistic Wellness Fair: For your Body, Mind & Spirit this Saturday, November 16th from 9am to 4pm.

ENJOY the day outside in the serenity of the desert. Get INSPIRED by Nine Holistic & Metaphysical Speakers SHOP for unique Art, Crystals, Herbal Products, and one of a kind Jewelry! Treat yourself to a READING with one of TCC's gifted Intuitives! Choose from Angel Card, Enjoy music by Celia and Gourmet Tacos by Carte Blanche Food Truck! Astrology, Medium or Tarot Reading!

The North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (NPCC) will hold its Third Annual Pet Adoption Event on Saturday, November 16. NPCC invites the North Valley community to attend this free, fun, family-friendly event. Attendees will enjoy games and entertainment, raffles, prizes and the opportunity to take home a new furry family member.

Help the AZ Insurance Team Celebrate their One Year Anniversary! It's been a long and crazy year for us here at Az Insurance Team! We really appreciate our clients because without YOU, we wouldn't be here! This is our way to say "Thank You!" I hope to see you at our One Year Anniversary Celebration and have the opportunity to win some raffle prizes from our local vendors!

ADOI will hold community meetings on Rate Review. During the meetings ADOI will provide an overview on Arizona Department of Insurance's role in the Affordable Care Act and discuss grant goals and activities. The meetings will take place at the following locations:

PHOENIX - ADOI Rate Review Community Meeting on Tuesday, November 5th from 6.00pm-8.00pm

One of the Valley's newest events, Live & Local presented by GoDaddy, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The event, sponsored by NOVA Home Loans, will celebrate the best in Arizona food, music and spirits with an extensive culinary and entertainment lineup including local restaurant and beverage partners, entertainers and more. All event proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and event opportunities are available at www.liveandlocal.bgcs.org.

If you want to create a better world and a stronger economy, then you'll want to read on to gain valuable insights about social entrepreneurs, networking, why failure is a gift, and resources available to entrepreneurs and small businesses from the sponsors of this event.

Luxjure Events, a new full-service event planning company in Chandler, Arizona, will host their official grand opening party on Friday, November 15, 2013 from 6:30 PM until 10:00 PM. The grand opening will take place at The Marriott Buttes, an upscale resort at 2000 W Westcourt Way in Tempe AZ.

Inspired early on by the Dutch masters and the way they used light, color and shadow to add drama in their compositions, Kevork Cholakian combines realism with simplicity to convey the importance of his subjects. Using transparent layers and strong colors contrasted against neutral tones to highlight objects, he paints his subjects larger than life.

I think many of you probably know by now that we're actively working on national expansion. So let me tell you...OMG! The amount of information I'm learning and processing right now is insane. This week, I learned first, hand that lawyers can either be deal-makers or deal-breakers.

Networking Phoenix is looking for someone that’s interested in getting involved with an expanding AZ tech startup. We need help communicating with our 26K+ members. This is an hourly contract position that will most likely start with just a few hours a week and pick up pace as we expand.

Join renowned actor and conservationist Robert Redford and dignitaries from United States and Mexico in celebrating and supporting one of the greatest environmental restoration opportunities of the Century -an ambitious, multi-national effort- to reconnect the "Colorado River" to its Delta in Mexico.

"The Hive" takes place from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday at J. Levine Auction & Appraisal, 10345 N. Scottsdale Rd., in Scottsdale (southeast corner of Scottsdale Rd. and Shea Blvd). The unique event which takes place every Wednesday through Sept. 25 during auction previews, is set up similar to a trade show featuring vendors, live music and entertainment that changes every week.

Career Connectors, a 501(c)(3) organization, is expanding their mission to help those in career transition by adding a third location in North Scottsdale to the monthly rotation. Currently meeting two times monthly at Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix and Central Christian Church in Gilbert – Career Connectors will now meet one time monthly at Highlands Church on Pinnacle Peak Road in North Scottsdale.

Starting Wed., Sept. 4, Scottsdale's Gallery J2 will be filled with brightly colored materials such as plexiglass, steel and wood for award-winning artist Sean Royal's show, "Transitions." Guests are invited to a free artist reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. where they can meet the Sacramento artist and see his new works of art that illustrate his printing prowess and colorful layers. The show is Royal's first time showing in Arizona and runs through Wed., Oct. 16.

It was our "Sweet 16th Signature Event" and we pulled it off without a hitch!

The feedback from the attendees and the exhibitors couldn't have been any better and we know that many connections were made. I personally got to meet lots of new people and reconnect with others. So how was this event different from the previous Signature Events? Great question!

Our client in Chandler, AZ has an immediate need for an Information Security Engineer. The individual will be troubleshooting, diagnosing and resolving complex security attacks upon network using various products, while utilizing proven best practices and other advanced software security techniques.

"Who are you?" seems like such a simple question, yet many choose to start forming opinions about someone by asking this question first: "So, what do you do?" That seemingly innocent, yet commonly feared question causes people to avoid events, choke from anxiety and even stutter or stumble for words. Anyone who has been laid off or fired and has attached their self-image to what their title, salary or line of work is knows the terror when this piece of their identity is stripped away.

The development department of the Scottsdale Cultural Council (the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and Public Art Program) has had a fantastic fiscal year with a 43 % increase in contributed revenue over last year.

we are hiring 2 positions in the department, an administrative position and a development associate. If you know of someone who would be interested please forward this to them. They can visit the website www.sccarts.org for more information on the opportunities.

Homeowners are often in shock when they learn how much they are paying in property taxes each year. That's because most homeowners never even see their full tax bill, even though it is one of the largest bills they will pay on their house each year.